How to Mix Guitars Efficiently and Accurately

Hey dudes, here's the general process of how I mix my guitars majority of the time. Just a bit of subtractive EQ, compression and general shaping to make sure it sits in the mix nice and snug.
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[@thedutchdjentleman]

7:34 quote: “I’ve done these based on the kick drum and the bass drum.” - Keyan Houshmand 2020

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

Bass guitar* hahahaha

[@xxTHExxABYSSxx]

And to his defense, you do tend to mix, eq, and duck certain sounds to the high end and sub frequencies of a kick as a trigger.

[@louistremblay1218]

A good thing to know for people who are rather not experienced in this is that its very rare that youre going to have a single move or button plugin that will instantly make your guitars sit well in a mix. its alot of very subtle and nuanced small changes to accomplish an over all goal.

[@TheBanana93]

Which hurts my head more. I am totally winging it the best sounding tones I ever got all the compression was done on my GE150. Now I have Archetype Abasi my head is even more fucked : D

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

Thanks for watching! It's not as complicated as you might think, but it's important that you apply the TECHNIQUES to your own mix, NOT COPY me setting for setting, which I am very guilty of doing in the past when learning through similar videos like this.

[@mattfury.]

4:15 when you know you nailed the mix

[@murdastick]

IT HITS SO WELL

[@ollyevee]

Just like everybody keeps commenting, your videos really helped me get a decent tone from my cheap gio guitar, before I found your videos, it sounded like a dropped C banjo.

[@kennethsmith5383]

Same. Can't wait to put together the 10-string.

[@13_cmi]

I have a cheap ibanez something. Got it 180 bucks used. Doesn’t sound that bad. Might be because I’ve never played a guitar before it but I think it gets the job done. Money well spent.

[@plethoral1854]

DRUM MIXING PLEASE!!

[@karolkozak64]

yes this please!

[@karolkozak64]

@Zach alan hmmm he does use a tweak or two differently at least on the guitars if you take a look additional compression and the mix rack use. I bet he does process his drums slightly differently if you imagine Nolly having used a standard rock theme to showcase his mixing techniques. Things get a bit different with a busier mix or a very different sound that one is looking for. Extra pumps in the kick, snare etc

[@plethoral1854]

@Zach alan this was just a content suggestion! Thanks for the information anyways

[@artoexplores]

@Zach alan easy content bro

[@stevedendera]

@Zach alan Maybe people like how Keyan explains it, or maybe his specific drum sound..... just because you like others doesn't mean it's for everyone. I personally love Keyan's explanations and having it from someone who is sat in his bedroom like I am it really helps me to feel like it's something I feel I can achieve.

[@mattturner1441]

Seriously how do you have such little Subscribers you are by far the best metal KZbin channel you not only help people with songwriting and tone but mixing as well. It’s ridiculous how much I have learnt from watching your videos thanks bro.

[@athmaid]

Thank you so much for making this accessable to everyone and not just on Patreon like many others do!

[@shaneharvey4118]

It's great to see someone using FL Studio. I've used it for years, but typically every guitarist I follow uses Cubase, Logic Pro, etc. I actually ended up buying Presonus Studio One on sale, thinking it would improve my workflow. I think I've used it once this year. If you ever need an idea for a video, I'd love to see more of your process with using FL Studio.

[@Rob_Ethereal]

Thanks a lot dude, been following for a while now and got to say, you've really helped me sound better

[@subhammukherjee7149]

I've been waiting for this for so long. Your mixes are mind blowing, man. Thank you so so much!! ❤️

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

Enjoy!

[@ritorudra]

Subham, fancy seeing you here!

[@subhammukherjee7149]

@@ritorudra hahaha. Been a fan of Keyan's work for quite some time now, mate.

[@anurupguhathakurta2913]

Everyone is a fan of this dude it seems

[@fikrihandoko]

As always, your guitar tone is insanely good! Damn, your channel deserves a lot more subscribers and viewers. Keep doing what you're doing, the time will come.

[@Mike-pf9zc]

not guitar related at all but i think it's very interesting when the kick is mixed beneath the bass. it really adds to the impact, here.

[@何朴域]

For the multi-band compression trick, I learnt that from Nolly's mixing masterclass! lol It's really effective.

[@xavianmarotta]

Again, very useful stuff, you've already helped me a lot during the beginning of my music production journey. Thanks Keyan.

[@fufc1231]

FINALLY! was waiting for this for awhile

[@prashuryagoswami6122]

That one hell of a tone

[@offshot1st]

I recently dropped my tuning down to Ab, on a 6 string. Its definitely made me rethink how I should mix for this...

[@karolkozak64]

Is that instrument bus inspired by Nolly's mix/masterclass?

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

Yes!!!

[@ayeapprove]

You always got a killer tone but I'm starting to think it's more down to how you pick compared to me. I go through a similar workflow but your attack is unreal.

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

Beat your guitar like it owes you money

[@rowanjeffree1094]

@@KeyanHoushmandLive it does owe u money

[@JusTVIDSE]

Bass is also important to make it sound heavy

[@giulianoz94]

don't forget abouth using the right pick

[@iliapetrov5761]

Hey man your content is absolutely amazing

[@FrostyPhoenix]

Thornhill Hoodie 2: Electric Boogaloo

[@soundlabdiaries]

I was watching Joao Medeiros for a quite long period of time. That dude went from my typical mix sound to studio sound in 3 videos. I watched his videos and didn't catch the moment where he got so efficient in his mixes... That is a great question to me now: HOW THE HELL CAN I GET THE SAME SOUND??? The topic you cover is extremely important, please keep it up!

[@彭麒任]

This song slaps, please turn this into a whole song

[@gwiongriffiths6540]

That split coil track trick is so sick!

[@dbwastooshort]

coming back to this video as im stuck mixing guitars , but DAMN that demo is silent planet-esque as FUCK imo, really cool

[@rikusu_]

Thank you for this guide !

[@apoplexiamusic]

Amazing guitar tone as usual! One really great i discovered from a Glenn Fricker video from last week is to use a Pultec EQ to add harmonics to your guitar! By the way props on the Dubsteppy/DnB type snare with that huge 200 Hz bell ;)

[@ivandemchenko2889]

Thanks Keyan! Very useful tutorial! Can you please do tutorial how to properly record a nice DI track, how you're doing this. 🙏💌

[@federicogarufi479]

Those guitars are unbelievably good

[@ChrisEvss]

Awesome video! this is a huge help to anyone looking to get a grasp of recording/mixing their guitars, just what I needed. Cheers cob

[@blakehaas3205]

You are the channel I've been looking for. Thank you for all the walk throughs. Your videos helped me set up my daw with tones I love.

[@Surrey_01]

Awesome video. Love the mix/mastering content

[@streetwiserhapsody]

Virtual Mix Rack and Fabfilter Bundle, I see that you have a similar plugin chain to mine, can't live without them. Also killer tone as always man : D

[@omynel]

This is great dude, thoroughly enjoyed. I reckon it would be easier to follow what you're doing if you added a big "ON" / "OFF" when you're A/B'ing the effects. Kinda tricky to figure out when you are turning things on / off.

[@lylaznboi01]

Slate's Virtual Mix Rack is great. Somethings I suggest checking out on guitars are the FG-Stress and the VTC. The Hollywood and New York sound great on rhythm guitars if it needs more beef in the end. Of course, do it in the context of the mix so you don't go overboard with the saturation.

[@marcocarnaghi294]

I think I learn something with every single video, so it's always a good new when you upload one! 💓

[@dragtr0n]

That virtual mix rack high end boost really helped my mix. My guitars were kinda getting drowned in the mix. Thx alot

[@GaryMcNeill]

That split coil idea is genius!

[@johannsalas3219]

Duuuuuuude why haven't I seen your channel before!

[@Zeig7190]

Awesome tutorial Keyan! You explain so concisely and accurately; hope to see more

[@paracite366]

So cool to see your approach to all of this! Learned a lot of new things for sure! Thanks Keyan❤

[@shaqepreme]

IS there a finished song out there of this?? DAMN i fu**ing LOVE this!

[@averagest]

Sounds f-ing amazing man!

[@zlodr9369]

God, yes, finally this video came out !!!

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

It’s been a long time coming

[@TheAcidTerror]

Thanks a lot bro, for all your effort and good work, since i started following your channel my guitar tone has improved a lot!

[@paulie_g_]

Grat job man, would definitely check out more mixing videos from you

[@murdastick]

4:14 K I C K S bruv. Excellent video!

[@giscardrasquin4793]

Great video!

[@Kellcole32]

i like the Eq on the sound nice bro

[@justus4684]

Please do a tuto on your bass and drum mixing

[@JohnnySideburnsX]

You eq the same way I do! Very effective tutorial.

[@gypsydisc2019]

Very helpful information!

[@SwainBjornstrandt]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@hessammehdizadeh3239]

I liked the video. Very educational. thanks

[@AlphaWatt]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you. I just got a set of Jimmy Clips in and they take care of that string ring wonderfully. I don’t work for/nor am affiliated with them. Just putting it out here for anyone else who has been dealing with it.

[@kid_ryu]

whattaffuk!! riffing's huge and impeccable as always

[@matteopravettoni2595]

Thanks for sharing bro 💣

[@miinpajamas6680]

4:13 man's vibin

[@BL4CK5M1TH0]

The video I needed

[@amanjoshua994]

An updated version please? We need the Black mixing tutorial!!

[@mityaIvanov2023]

Yezzz!!! He did it !!!

[@josuastangl7140]

Really cool, thx!

[@davidkruzik6402]

FIRE MAN!

[@Clammiest]

That sounds super tasty brotha I love it.

[@indigoakaben]

New favorite adjective, "Spanky".

[@LuisBrolyx]

Amazing! ✨

[@vilgaxrecords]

Thanks bro finally. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@gunamrit]

Thank you thank you thank you so soooo muchhh

[@beeh3647]

Great video Mr Houshmand! Your advice about multi-band is really useful, could be cool if you did some kind of a mix challenge for your audience in a future video, I'd be game!

[@hados1853]

tbh i'm just waiting for you to release some original music. full length songs and ep's and all that goodness. Your demo's always leave me wanting more!!

[@ganyu6303]

Keyan = tone God

[@MarceloSDroguett]

great infoo ImI

[@oscarmora3277]

Thanks brooooo

[@Gooseknuckle]

Sick to see someone else mixing and recording metal using FL

[@hollowake233]

you're a god, bro

[@thesobercoder]

Please live mix for us. Would be so much more awesome.

[@DMNDBEATZ]

Great VIdeo man love watching your stuff, great content and i use FL studio not to many metal producer on FL!!!

[@ravilamichhane1798]

Can you please make a video on how you program/write your drums? Thanks love your content!

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

Already have, check out my channel

[@Sinslikescarlet100]

His face @4:15 😂 Absolute Gold.

[@cenaakashakash]

2:54 to 2:59....nice melody man😝

[@shrinjayghosh4633]

Fantastic content! keep it up. your mixing and ears have improved really a whole lot

[@awfulwaffle6154]

Saving this one for tomorrow. I have a lot of trouble having my guitars and drums fit together in a mix, I often get comments on about how they seem, err... Separate? Not cohesive

[@tylerbrittan593]

One key to a good guitar tone: good bass tone

[@stefansalvatore3486]

And good drums tone!

[@poixone]

@@stefansalvatore3486 what

[@thewest6128]

Do you have a video how to make some good sounding lead sounds?

[@marcing5380]

Good stuff dude. Do you maybe play around with some symphonics aside from just rock trio of guitar, bass and drums?

[@BhargavaMan]

Niiiiice thanks for this dude What plugins you using on your bass DI/drums tho? You should do a video on that too, this mix sounds fuckin killer

[@yamlevi]

How do you mix your drums and bass? Your mixes always sound huge!

[@ryanhafiez4321]

I hope you can give us tutorial how you set fl studio for record the guitar track 🙏

[@SOYUSE]

Nice work, bro! But how don't you have the phase problems between the guitars in mono? Especially with a lot of equalization.

[@musicinsession]

How to Mix guitars? Play well (as you are the compressor), record them well, high pass filter up to 60~80Hz to make space int he frequency spectrum and... done!

[@johnny_b_dude]

Hello Keyan, love your channel. Could you please make more FL Studio tutorials? I'm trying to start doing this on my know, but ffs, this shit is hard to navigate properly ^^' Keep up the good work, brother!

[@Manic_Mitch.official]

Excelente video! With all this production though isn’t it a problem that you won’t be able to sound as good live?

[@ghostfaceninetyfive]

We need a drum tutorial now bro. I followed nollys masterclass but it doesnt sound like this

[@shaygankhandan6188]

I have a big exam tomorrow , it's 5 am, but this is more important

[@noobiedoo0077]

bro please make how to program metal bass❤️❤️

[@moe_fte]

Great 🔥😍

[@polloymedio]

Awesome man! Thanks for listening to our begging and annoying comments!

[@warhouse1]

Very good video. I'm thrilled to see you use FL Studio. I've been thinking about making my own how-to metal in FL but I'm not quite 100% happy with my sound just yet. Is your tone knob open all the way? I use Fortin Nameless and struggle with that fizziness you mentioned. I end up having my high cut at about 6.5k, with a wide Q over 3k. Because of that, my mix is a bit thinner than I'd like. Maybe share your Fortin Nameless tone as well. I could just have it dialed in badly.

[@hasibibnmizan9868]

Can u make drum programming tutorial?